Month: April 2021

Robert Harvey, Calvert County State’s Attorney, announces that the Grand Jury has returned 3 indictments charging Moshe Michael Imel, 50, of Owings, MD, with numerous counts of child sexual abuse.  The indictments allege violations over a time period of 2012 to 2020 involving 3 separate victims.  All victims were alleged to have been under the age of 14 when the abuse began.

The indictments allege that Imel, in his capacity as a coach with the Patuxent Rhinos football team, befriended the victims and invited them into his home in Owings.  He allegedly provided them with lodging, food, gifts, and money in exchange for sexual favors.  The acts allegedly occurred in Imel’s home.  Among other things, Mr. Imel is charged with 2 counts of Rape-Second Degree (Felony-20 year maximum) and 5 counts of Sex Abuse of a Minor-Continuing Course of Conduct (Felony-30 year maximum).

The alleged abuse was discovered when 2 of the victims, who are now age 21, reported the matter to the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office.  After receiving the information, detectives responded to Imel’s home, where they discovered a 3^rd child, aged 14, living there.  This child also reported that he had been abused by Imel.

Imel is currently being detained at the Calvert County Detention Center in lieu of a $500,000 cash bond.  He has been held since his arrest on March 18, 2021.

It is important to note that these indictments set forth the charges against Mr. Imel.  He has a right to have these charges adjudicated by a Judge or jury.  The State looks forward to the opportunity to present its evidence in Court at the appropriate time.

Finally, the investigation into this matter is ongoing.  Anyone with information regarding these charges, other incidents, or other victims are urged to call the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office at 410-535-2800.  The identity of all callers will be shielded.

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week – April 18-April 24, 2021

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Since 1981, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week has been a time to renew our commitment to serving all victims of crime, acknowledge the achievements in victim services and allied professions, honor those who have gone above and beyond in their service to others, and to remember crime victims and survivors.

Each year in the spring, victim service providers, justice professionals, and community advocates across the state come together to reflect upon milestones of the past year and rededicate their efforts towards the furtherance of victims’ rights.

Every year, one County in each Region of Maryland hosts the Annual Maryland Statewide Crime Victims’ Memorial Service.  This year, the Southern Region is being hosted by the State’s Attorney’s Office for Charles County.  Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, this service will be held virtually on Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 2:00 pm. more updates.  If you would like to view the Memorial Service, on Sunday, April 18 at 2:00 p.m. please go to https://ccsao.us/ncvrw/ and scroll down to find the link to the service.  The link will not be up until 2:00 on Sunday, April 18.

Robert Harvey, Calvert County State’s Attorney, announces the creation of a Court Diversion Program for Young Adults.  The Program will permit young, first-time offenders the opportunity to avoid a criminal record if they successfully complete a 6-week course of counseling and education through the Calvert County Health Department – Behavioral Health.  The Program is open to individuals aged 18-25, with no prior adult criminal record, who are charged with relatively minor offenses in the District Court.  Persons charged with violent offenses, DUI, firearms violations, and domestic-related offenses are not eligible.

The curriculum will consist of six two-hour sessions designed to prevent future violations of the law.  It will cover such topics as behavior modification, drug abuse, decision-making strategies, and anger management.  There is a $175 fee which may be adjusted upon the participant’s economic circumstances.

Candidates for the Program will be identified by the State’s Attorney’s Office and referred to Calvert County Behavioral Health for an evaluation.  Candidates who are accepted into the Program will have their charges placed on the inactive docket.  Upon successful completion of the Program, participants will be able to have the charges dismissed and records expunged.  Candidates who do not complete the Program will have their charges reinstated for prosecution.  The Program is strictly voluntary.

State’s Attorney Harvey noted that “Young people do not always understand the impact that even a minor conviction can have on future educational and employment opportunities.  This program will offer them a one-time chance to move on with life without the burden of a criminal record.”